Hugh Freeze’s golf game — and its frequency — has become a talking point around the SEC of late, and quarterback Jackson Arnold was asked to weigh in on Tuesday.

Arnold was in Atlanta as part of the Tigers’ contingent at SEC Media Days, and made an appearance on SEC This Morning on the SEC Network. Asked about Freeze and golf, he said it’s a story that has gained what he views as unnecessary traction.

“Coach loves to play golf, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to have something outside of football to go to and kind of get away,” said Arnold, who transferred to Auburn from Oklahoma prior to spring practice. “I feel like if Auburn was 8-4 or 9-3 last year, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. It’s just because we didn’t win enough ball games last year.

“Maybe recruiting is a little shaky right this second if you want to go and blame that. I bet you Coach Freeze was playing golf just as much last year and he was in this year.”

Auburn is coming off three straight losing seasons — two under Freeze — which has led to some criticism of the frequency with which Freeze was on the golf course during the month of June, the height of recruiting season. The coach defended himself during a podcast appearance last week, saying “I never missed a camp day or a recruiting day.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin appeared to troll Freeze last week and again Monday at SEC Media Days when he “congratulated” the Auburn coach on his golf and fishing success. Kiffin denied any ill intent behind his social media posts and comments, but it’s difficult to tell if he was being sincere.

Arnold was also asked Tuesday if he plays golf and he said he does “if I have the time.” The game can be a great outlet from the “grind” of football, he said.

“I enjoy playing it,” Arnold said. “It’s a great time to be with your buddies in the summer. You’re grinding, you’re working out with the guys. You get your football in, and after that I go home and I decompress, whether that’s playing golf or watching TV or cooking or doing whatever.

“You’ve got to have an outlet outside of football and Coach Freeze goes out and plays golf with his wife. I don’t think it’s an issue at all. I think people are kind of blowing it out of proportion.”